Ticket applications for 2018 FIFA World Cup begin on Thursday morning

Have faith that the US national team is going to be a part of the World Cup next summer? Want to be a part of history as the world's most popular sporting event visits Russia for the first time? Then it's about time to take action.

Phase 1 of FIFA's ticket application process will open tomorrow, Sept. 14 at 5 am ET (that's 12 noon in Moscow). Fans who apply any time between tomorrow and Oct. 12 will have an equal chance of obtaining match tickets for the tournament. If there are any remaining tickets available that were allotted for the first phase of sales, they will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis from Nov. 16-28.

Phase 2 of the sales process begins four days after the FIFA 2018 World Cup Draw on Dec. 1.

As of now, all fans who are awarded World Cup tickets will receive them in the mail free of charge beginning in April or May of 2018. Fans who have match tickets will also be exempt from applying for a Russian travel visa and will be provided with free rail transit between host cities.